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Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,364.
It is the world headquarters of Kellogg Company (cereal), manufacturer of corn flakes and other breakfast cereals. It is also the home of Post Cereals, which was part of General Foods Corporation and is now part of Kraft Foods.
Battle Creek was featured in the T.C. Boyle novel The Road to Wellville and the movie of the same name.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 113.1 km² (43.7 mi²). 110.9 km² (42.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.2 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (1.92%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 53,364 people, 21,348 households, and 13,363 families residing in the city. The population density was 481.1/km² (1,246.0/mi²). There were 23,525 housing units at an average density of 212.1/km² (549.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.65% White, 17.80% black or African American, 1.94% Asian, 0.77% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.11% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. 4.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 21,348 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,491, and the median income for a family was $43,564. Males had a median income of $36,838 versus $26,429 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,424. About 10.7% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Colleges and universities
- Kellogg Community College, a 2-year college founded in 1956.
- Miller College, a 4-year institution which shares KCC's facilities
- Western Michigan University's Battle Creek Branch - The Kendall Center
Public School Districts
- Battle Creek Public Schools
- Harper Creek Schools
- Lakeview School District
- Pennfield Schools *
High schools (Public)
- Battle Creek Area Mathematics and Science Center
- Battle Creek Central High School
- Harper Creek High School
- Lakeview Alternative Education
- Lakeview High School
- Michigan Youth Challenge Academy
- Operation Graduation
- Pennfield Senior High School
- South Hill Academy
High schools (Private)
Primary and middle schools (Public)
- Harper Creek Junior High School
- Lakeview Junior High School
- Pennfield Dunlap Middle School
- Northwestern Junior High School
- Southwestern Junior High School
- W.K. Kellogg Junior High School
- Beadle Lake Elementary School
- Sonoma School
- Wattles Park Elementary School
- Westlake Elementary School
- Urbandale Elementary School
Primary and middle schools (Private)
- St. Joseph Elementary School
- St. Philip Elementary/Middle School
- Battle Creek Christian School
- Adventurous Beginnings for Children
Secondary schools
- Battle Creek Area Mathematics and Science Center, an accelerated secondary school that focuses primarily on math and science education.
Points of interest
Sports
The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays, a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, plays in the Midwest League. The team was known as the Michigan Battle Cats until 2003 and as the Battle Creek Yankees until 2004. The team's home park is C.O. Brown Stadium. The team is planning to move to Midland, MI after the 2006 season.
The Battle Creek Knights were a charter member of the International Basketball League (IBL). They went 21-0 during the league's first season in 2005 and won the championship. The team's home is Kellogg Arena.
The Battle Creek Crunch, a member of the Great Lakes Indoor Football League (GLIFL), began play in 2006. Their home is Kellogg Arena.
Transportation
Battle Creek is situated on the historic U.S. 12 route, largely replaced in Michigan by Interstate 94.
Kalamazoo's Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport serves Battle Creek. Locally, W.K. Kellogg Airport serves the general aviation needs of the community. The airport is also home to Western Michigan University's College of Aviation and the Michigan Air National Guard's 110th Fighter Wing which flies the A-10 and O/A-10 aircraft.
Notable persons
- John Harvey Kellogg, Battle Creek Sanitarium founder, inventor of corn flakes
- Will Keith Kellogg, founder of Kellogg Company, John Harvey's brother
- C. W. Post, founder of Postum Cereal Company
- Sojourner Truth, ex-slave and ardent abolitionist
- Rob Van Dam, professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
- Jason Newsted, former Metallica bassist
- Dick Martin, co-host of the popular comedy-variety show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968-1973)
- Betty Hutton, one of the most-original and most-colorful singers in twentieth century American pop music
- Marion Hutton, best-known for her vocals with Glenn Miller's orchestra
- Junior Walker, of the famous R&B Motown group Junior Walker & the All-Stars, became a resident of Battle Creek in the 1950's
External links
Calhoun County, Michigan | Cities in Michigan
Battle Creek (Michigan) | Battle Creek (Michigan) | Battle Creek, Michigan
"Battle Creek, Michigan"